Killer teen sentenced for ‘reckless’ attack

Kyle Major (inset), 14, killed 52-year-old Paul Walker on Sutton Place in the early hours of New Year's Day.

Published:12:15Friday 10 April 2015

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A teenage thug who killed Blackpool man Paul Walker with a single punch has today been sentenced to three years detention.

The boy, who can now be named as 14-year-old Kyle Major, pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month.

Kyle Major

Major, of Devonshire Road, attacked his 52-year-old victim in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Police launched an investigation after Mr Walker was found lying unconscious in Sutton Place at around 2am on January 1. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he later died.

Celtic fan Mr Walker, of Normoss Avenue, reportedly left a party on Kent Road in good spirits shortly after 1am and set off for his Grange Park home.

He was knocked out by a single punch delivered by Major.

It took just one punch to kill Mr Walker and this case serves as a stark warning to others, showing just how much damage a single punch can cause.

Det Chief Insp Pete Simm

A post mortem examination showed the cause of death was head, face and neck injuries.

Det Chief Insp Pete Simm, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Kyle Major has today been sentenced for his reckless and violent actions which tragically cut Mr Walker’s life short and left devastating consequences for his family and friends.

“It took just one punch to kill Mr Walker and this case serves as a stark warning to others, showing just how much damage a single punch can cause.

“Thankfully, Mr Walker’s family have been spared the ordeal of having to sit through a trial and although nothing can compensate them for their loss, I hope that the conclusion of this case offers them some form of closure. My thoughts very much remain with them at this time.”